"What do you mean 'big trouble'?" Church snapped at Marvin, rolling his eyes. "What could be worse than losing the red mercury nuke?"
"Global nuclear war," Marvin replied gravely.
"What?" Church's face darkened as he stared at Marvin, whose complexion had paled. "What are you talking about?"
"You've heard of Kubrick Hendrick, right?" Marvin asked, handing Church the phone.
Church hesitated, then replied, "That lunatic who wants to use nukes to destroy the United States?"
After reading the recovered messages between Edward Bailey and Kubrick Hendrick, which had been deleted by Edward, Church silently left the safe house. He motioned for Marvin, Victoria, and Sarah to follow, and they quickly drove away.
In the car, Church reviewed all the messages and listened to a radio report detailing explosions at the Kremlin. Piecing everything together, he realized that both his team and Ethan Hunt's team had been pawns in Edward Bailey and Kubrick Hendrick's scheme.
The two operatives had not only stolen the red mercury and the nuclear launch case but had also shifted the Kremlin's focus entirely onto Church and Ethan.
Moreover, Church suspected it might take weeks before the Russians realized the launch case was missing. Even then, they'd likely believe the stolen case contained red mercury, further delaying their response.
Church shared his deductions and concerns with Marvin and Victoria before asking, "What do we do now? Chase the red mercury or track down Hendrick?"
Marvin suddenly braked and veered into a narrow alley. "First, we figure out how to get out of Moscow. There were police checkpoints at the last intersection."
For the next hour, the group drove in circles, only to find themselves increasingly boxed in by checkpoints. Left with no choice, they abandoned the car and continued on foot.
After buying some food and water, they entered a park, posing as two couples sitting on a bench.
Watching the crowds pass by, Marvin grumbled, "What's making these Russians act like maniacs, setting up checkpoints everywhere?"
Church, his mind turning, suspected William might also be involved in the hunt for the red mercury. He pulled out his phone and called him.
When William picked up, Church asked bluntly, "Did you know about the red mercury?"
"Half-believed in it," William replied, laughing. "But once the Dragoncrown Project leaked online, I became more convinced. Too bad the CIA got it in the end."
Church mulled over William's response and sighed. "So, what do you think I should do now? And why are the Russians going berserk with all these searches?"
William didn't hesitate. "Isn't it obvious? Contact Ethan Hunt and work together to recover the launch case and deal with Hendrick."
Before Church could interject, William continued, "Think about it. You're American, I'm British. Between us, isn't it better for the U.S. to have the red mercury than some other faction?
"As for the Russians, Hendrick deliberately leaked the theft of the red mercury to cover up his theft of the launch case. Now they're frantically searching for the mercury, oblivious to the bigger threat."
Church frowned. "You really think Edward Bailey is altruistic enough to hand the mercury over to the U.S. while collaborating with Hendrick to steal the launch case?"
"Of course not," William replied, scoffing. "But good luck convincing CIA operatives Jack Horton and Ray Monroe to destroy the mercury or kill Bailey."
Church fell silent. After a pause, William offered a pseudo-consolation: "What's done is done. Bailey's in CIA custody now. Horton and Monroe will probably keep him locked away forever.
"And if the U.S. has the mercury, it's not the worst outcome for you or England. But Hendrick with the launch case? That's a real catastrophe.
"Kill Hendrick. Recover or destroy the launch case. Clear enough?"
After a long silence, Church finally muttered, "Got it."
Hanging up, Church turned to see Marvin, Victoria, and Sarah exchanging uneasy glances. Though reluctant to accept William's cold pragmatism, they couldn't deny its logic.
Church sighed and pulled out his phone to email Ethan. To his surprise, he saw an email from Ethan, sent the day before. Cursing the White Ghost for stealing his phone, Church quickly sent a reply with a request to meet and his new number.
Back at the train station, Ethan returned to his freight car safe house. Benji greeted him nervously.
"Frank Moses emailed me," Benji said. "He's asking for a meeting and left his phone number. Do we contact him?"
Ethan thought for a moment, then turned to Benji and Jane Carter. "What do you think?"
"Absolutely not," Benji replied instantly. "Don't forget Moses is on the wanted list for nuclear terrorism. And let's not ignore the fact that he was holding the red mercury at the Kremlin. This has to be a trap. He's trying to use us as scapegoats."
"No," Jane countered, shaking her head. "If Moses already had the mercury and considered us enemies, he wouldn't risk contacting us. He'd just hide. Besides, we just got word about a shootout at an abandoned house that hasn't been occupied in over 30 years. Could there be a connection?"
"Good point," Ethan mused. He nodded slowly. "We've been on missions where our own people turned on us. If Moses is also a pawn like us, having him as an ally could help us track Hendrick.
"And, Benji, do you remember the white-haired man with Moses at the Kremlin?"
Benji's eyes widened as realization dawned. "You don't think that was Edward Bailey, do you?"
Ethan's expression darkened. "We'll know when we meet Moses."
Benji groaned. "If this really is Bailey and Hendrick working together to play us and Moses for fools, we'll never live this down."
"Seriously?" Jane glared at Benji. "This isn't about our reputation!"
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Enjoying the story? Support the author and get early access to chapters by joining my Patre@n!Find me at: patre@n*com/Mutter
You can read each novel for $5 or get them all for just $15.
I Am Zeus, KING OF GODS (Chapter 79)
Fairy Tail: Igneel's Eldest Son (Chapter 391)
I Am Thalos, Odin's Older Brother (Chapter 471)
Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 677)
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 1059)
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1418)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1422)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1452)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1504)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld!(Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 703)
[+50 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter][+5 Reviews = +1 Extra Chapter]